Device for the protection of an armored vehicle against non- explosive projectiles

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a device for protection of an armored vehicle against projectiles, particularly non-explosive projectiles, characterized in that it comprises at least one launcher device whose movements in at least one plane are controlled by a pyrotechnic ram. The reaction time of the rams is very short. By increasing the angular positioning capability of the launchers, the number of launchers required in an armored vehicle self-defense system providing protection against non-explosive projectiles is reduced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a device for the protection of an armored vehicle against non-explosive projectiles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] A device comprising a radar associated with a projectile launcher system is known, for protecting an armored vehicle such as a tank against non-explosive projectiles. As soon as the radar detects that an enemy projectile has been launched, it activates the launcher system that launches a projectile in the direction of the threat, this self-defense projectile being fired when it is in the immediate vicinity of the threat which modifies the trajectory sufficiently to make it ineffective.

[0003] However, the launcher system must comprise a large number of launchers if it is desired to protect the tank efficiently, even within a relatively small range of directions from which threats are likely to come, this range being towards the front of the tank.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is a device for protection of an armored vehicle against projectiles, particularly non-explosive projectiles, characterized in that it comprises at least one launcher device whose movements in at least one plane are controlled by a pyrotechnic ram.

[0005] This device provides optimal protection in the largest possible number of directions while requiring the smallest possible number of launchers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear on reading the following description of preferred embodiments, taken only as non-limitative examples, making reference to the attached drawings of which:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a launcher with its own pyrotechnic ram in the rest position, forming part of a device according to the invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the launcher-ram assembly in FIG. 1, in the position aimed towards a target and ready to launch a self-defense projectile;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a simplified sectional view of the ram in FIG. 1, in the rest position;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 3, but in the position aimed towards a target;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a simplified sectional view of a variant of a double-acting ram according to the invention;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a tank equipped with a device according to the invention, showing the protection angle provided with this device;

[0013]FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views in a plane perpendicular to the center line of the launcher tube and in a plane passing through this center line of the launcher tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] This invention is described above with reference to a device for the protection of a vehicle, and particularly a tank, against non-explosive projectiles but obviously it is not restricted to this application alone and it may be used for the protection of a vehicle against other types of threats, or it may be used to attack targets and particularly targets moving at high speed.

[0015]FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a device 1 for the protection of tanks according to the invention. This device 1 comprises essentially a launcher tube 2 fixed at its back to the tank structure 3 by a hinge 4, for example a ball joint. The orientation of tube 2 in elevation or in bearing is controlled by a pyrotechnic ram 5 connected to the tube 2 by a hinge 6 and to structure 3 by another hinge 7, for example these two hinges 6, 7 being ball joints. In FIG. 1, the ram 5 is shown in the inactive position (in the “down” position of the tube 2), and in the active position in FIG. 2. In this active position, the piston of this ram is stopped in contact with the plane wall, called the front wall, of the cylinder opposite the back wall with which it was in contact when it was in the inactive position. Ammunition 2A is already in place in the tube 2, ready to be launched.

[0016]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the manufacturing details of ram 5 shown in the inactive and active positions respectively. This ram 5 comprises essentially a cylinder 8 along which a piston 9 moves. An axial rod 10 is formed integral with the back wall 11 of the cylinder or is fixed to this wall, and an axial rod 12 is formed integral with the piston 9 (or fixed to it) and enters a neck 13 formed on the front wall 14 of the cylinder 8. The piston 9 is provided with leaktight means 15, for example an O-ring, making a sealed joint with respect to cylinder 8. There is a pyrotechnic charge 16 in a recess formed in the inner face of the wall 11, and an initiator (detonator) 17 is placed in the wall 11, at the contact with the charge 16. Conductors 18 connect the initiator 17 to an appropriate electrical control device (not shown). A pin 19 passes diametrically through the neck 13 and the rod 12 immobilizes this pin in the inactive position of piston 8, and it can easily be sheared when the charge 16 is activated. The piston can then stop in contact with the wall 14 (FIG. 4).

[0017]FIG. 5 shows a ram 20 with three positions: one inactive position (as shown in the drawing) in which the piston is approximately at the mid-point of the length of the cylinder, and two positions that can be activated (one stop at each end of the cylinder), only one of which can be activated at a time.

[0018] The ram 20 comprises essentially a cylinder 21 closed at one end by a transverse partition 22 and at the other end by a transverse partition 23. The partition 22 is fixed to an axial rod 24. A piston 25 is placed in cylinder 21, and it is provided with means 26 of making the joint between the piston and the cylinder leak tight. An axial rod 27 fixed to piston 25 passes through wall 23 and its neck 28. In the inactive state, the piston 25 is held in the median position by a pin 29 that passes diametrically through the neck 28 and the rod 27.

[0019] A recess is formed in each of the internal surfaces of the walls 22, 23, for example an annular recess, in which a pyrotechnic charge 30, 31 respectively, is placed. Each of these charges is associated with an initiator, 32, 33 respectively, housed in the corresponding wall 22, 23. Conductors 34, 35 connect the initiators 32, 33 respectively to an appropriate corresponding control device (not shown). One of the rods 24 and 27 is connected to the launcher tube and the other is connected to the tank structure, in a way similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. One of the two charges 30, 31 will be fired, depending on the required movement of the launcher from its inactive position (piston in the middle of the cylinder), in other words whether the link in which this ram is placed is to be shortened or lengthened . Firing forces the piston towards one of the ends 22 or 23, which breaks the pin 29. Thus, with this type of ram, three different orientations of the launcher tube can be obtained. Consequently, the number of launcher tubes necessary can be divided by three (compared with devices according to prior art mentioned in the preamble) to cover the same angular defense range. It then becomes possible to arrange the launcher tubes on the tank turret rather than on its front glacis. With this arrangement, the turret can be oriented to choose the azimuth of the sector to be defended. As shown in FIG. 6, apart from the orientation of the launcher tubes in azimuth by the turret of the carrier tank 36, a wider angular defense range A in elevation is obtained, consisting of three angular ranges A1, A2, A3 corresponding to the three elevation positions of the ram in FIG. 5.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the launcher tube 37 (forming part of a set of several tubes arranged on a tank) is controlled by two rams 38, 39 that may be of the type shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, or in FIG. 5. The center line of the ram 38 is vertical so that the elevation of the tube 37 can be varied, whereas the center line of ram 39 is horizontal, so that the azimuth of tube 37 can be varied.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, two or more rams conform with the invention may be arranged in series (on the same center line) to increase the number of possible positions of the launcher tube. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Device for protection of an armored vehicle against projectiles, particularly non-explosive projectiles, characterized in that it comprises at least one launcher device (2, 37) whose movements in at least one plane are controlled by a pyrotechnic ram (5, 20, 38, 39).
 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said pyrotechnic ram includes a pyrotechnic charge (16) on only one side of its piston (9).
 3. Device according to claim 1, wherein said pyrotechnic ram includes a pyrotechnic charge (30, 31) on both sides of its piston (25), and wherein in the inactive position the piston is positioned at approximately the mid-point along the length of its cylinder (21).
 4. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the rod of said ram is immobilized in the inactive position by a pin (19) which shears off when the ram's pyrotechnic charge is activated.
 5. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it is placed on a tank turret. 